Canoe tent

ABSTRACT

A canoe tent includes a shroud and means for joining the periphery of the shroud to the gunwale of the canoe, a removable bow member adapted for mounting on the bow and resilient means for supporting the shroud at the bow.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,896,832

Montoya 1 July 29, 1975 [54] CANOE TENT 3,106,931 10/1963 Cooper 135/6 [76] Inventor: Thomas Montoya, 106 Illinois Ave., 33,54,892 1967 g z 5 Aubumdale Fla. 33823 3,367,349 2/1968 OLink 135/6 [22 Filed: 06.24, 1973 Appl. No.2 409,308

[52] US. Cl. 135/6; 135/1 R [51] Int. Cl B63b 17/02 [58] Field of Search 9/1 R; 135/] R, 5 R, 6, 135/15 CF [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 684,086 10/1901 McCall 135/1 R 858,854 7/1907 Broch 135/6 X Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Assistant ExaminerDavid l-I. Corbin Attorney, Agent, or FirmDuckworth, Hobby & Allen [57] ABSTRACT A canoe tent includes a shroud and means for joining the periphery of the shroud to the gunwale of the canoe, a removable bow member adapted for mounting on the bow and resilient means for supporting the shroud at the bow.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL 2 9 i975 SHEET FIG 7 CANOE TENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to tents, awnings. canopies. shrouds and similar covers for watercraft. and in particular, relates to such covers which are adapted for use with canoes of different lengths.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art teaches various canopy and awning arrangements for canoes and other water craft. Schmidt. in U.S. Pat. No. l,396.063, discloses a structure in which support ribbing for a canoe canopy is fixed to the gunwale of the craft. Sherman. in U.S. Pat. No. 872,088, teaches a canoe awning having a center support post.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,829, Adams teaches a foldable life-boat cover having rigid support ribbing fixed to the gunwale. A similar cover is taught by Koontz, et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,409. the Koontz arrangement further including Zippered apertures allowing ingress and egress into and out of the craft through the cover. See also U.S. Pat. No. 1,052,076 to McClellan.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,474,03l, Burns discloses a boat cover employing a peripheral drawstring for joining the edge of the cover tight along the gunwale of the craft. Additionally. the Burns arrangement employs a curved resilient member affixed to one of the seats of the craft to support the cover. Various other boat canopies are found in U.S. Patent Office Class 135. subclass 6, among others.

While the arrangements discussed above are suitable to some extent, it is desirable to employ a tent which can be easily adapted to watercraft of varying lengths, and which can be easily installed on the craft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a tent for a watercraft having a tapered bow, comprising a shroud and means for joining the periphery of the shroud along the gunwale of the craft. A removable bow member is adapted for mounting on the tapered bow, and resilient means fixed with the bow member supports the shroud at the bow.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the removable bow member is adjustable and cooperates with the tent so as to adapt the tent to watercraft of different lengths.

THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of a canoe having a tent with the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the canoetent combination of FIG. 1, looking toward the bow of the canoe.

FIG. 3 is a perspective end view of a portion of the canoe-tent combination of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4(a) and (b) are perspective views of a portion of the gunwale of the canoe of FIG. 1, illustrating alternate shroud-fastening means.

FIG. 5 is a first embodiment of a bow support member for the tent of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of a bow support member for the tent of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a third embodiment of a bow support member for the tent of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A canoe tent in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and described with reference thereto.

The canoe-tent arrangement. referred to generally as 10, includes a canoe 12 having a tapered bow l4 and a stem 16 tapered as the bow. In this embodiment, the gunwale of the canoe 12 has a lip 18 thereabout. The tent includes a cover, or shroud 20, having drawcord 22 fitted along the periphery thereof. so as to join the shroud to the lip 18 of the gunwale. Alternatively. a Velcro fastening strip may be affixed to the periphery of the shroud 20 and adapted to engage a corresponding Velcro fastening strip 17 along the gunwale [note FIG. 4(0)]; or a row of suction cup-mounted cleats I9 on the gunwale may be used to hold the drawcord 22. [note FIG. 4(1))1. These alternate arrangements are useful where there is little or no lip associated with the gunwale.

The shroud 20 may comprise a flexible material. such as canvas or nylon, and has zippered flaps 21 therein allowing ingress and egress into and out of the canoe 12 through the shroud. In this example, the flaps 21 include an inner flap 23 and an outer mosquito netting 25.

Noting FIG. 2. the tent includes a removable bow member 24 mounted on the bow 14. The bow member 24 is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The tent further includes two resilient rods 26, 28 each having a pin 30 at one end thereof adapted to fit into a corresponding hole 32 along the top of the gunwale. The shroud 20 includes sewn sleeves 34 along the inside top thereof for receiving the other ends of the rods 26. 28 in a crossing pattern such that the rods support the shroud.

Noting FIGS. 2 and 3, a shroud support shaft 36 is held by the bow member 24. A cross-arm 38 is fixed to the extremity of the support shaft 36 and extends across the breadth of the shroud 20. The shroud 20 has an elastic ribbing 40 extending between the cross-arm 38 and the bow 14. The shroud 20 further includes a pad 42 which slips about the extremity of the bow 14 or bow member 24.

Three embodiments of the bow member 24 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

A first embodiment, referred to generally as 50, has a tapered plate 52 with a curved lip 54 adapted to en gage the lip 18 of the gunwale on opposite sides of the bow 14. A support shaft holding member 56 is pivotably joined at one edge 58 on the tapered plate 52, and a resilient (elastic) cord 60 is fixed between the tapered plate and the extremity of the holding member.

The second embodiment of the bow member is shown in FIG. 6 and referred to generally as 70. The member comprises two arms 72, 74 joined together at a pivot point 76 at one end of each arm. each arm adapted to extend alongside the gunwale on opposing sides of the canoe 12. The pivot point 76 may be varied by extending the pivot screw through parallel, spaced holes 78 at the one end of each arm 72, 74. A pivot rod 80 is rotatably fixed between a support shaft holding member 82 and the other end of each arm 72, 74 providing means for adjusting the spacing between the holding member 82 and the two arms, allowing the member to be snugly fitted to the canoe on opposite sides of the gunwale. A resilient cord 83 is fixed between the ends of the two arms 72, 74 and the support shaft holding member 82, and the support shaft 36 is provided with holes 84 through which a bolt 86 extends to allow for adjustment of the length of the support shaft. The shroud pad 42 is adapted to fit over the pivoted end of the two arms 72, 74 (note FIG. 3).

The third embodiment of the bow member is shown in FIG. 7 and referred to generally as 90. The member 90 includes two arms 92, 94 each adapted to extend alongside the gunwale on opposite sides of the canoe 12 and attach on opposite sides of one end of a bracket 96. The bracket 96 has spaced holes 98 along the sides thereof holding the support shaft 36 and allowing the shaft to be adjusted between the ends of the bracket 96. Two grooved fasteners 100, 102 are attached at the other end of each arm 92, 94 and to a thumb screw 104, allowing the other ends of the arms to be adjustably moved toward the bracket 96. A tongue 106 is fixed to, and extends away from the one end of the bracket 96. Screws 108 in the bracket 96 and holes 110 allow the length of the tongue 106 to be adjusted.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that another bow member arrangement is likewise employed at the tapered stern 16 of the canoe l2.

Noting FIG. 8, the tent may also be used ashore, and therefore may further include a floor 112 having a cooking fire flap 114. The floor 112 has means for joining the floor to the periphery of the shroud 20, such as a Velcro strip 116 which is adapted as the embodiment shown in FIG. 4(a).

A canoe tent in accordance with the present invention can be easily installed by one or two persons while seated in the canoe 12 in a short period of time. Further, the adjustability of the length of the support shaft 36, the use of the resilient cord 60, 83, and the elastic ribbing 40 in the shroud 20 allow the tent to be adjusted to canoes of varying lengths.

I claim:

1. A tent for watercraft having a tapered bow, comprising:

a shroud;

means for joining the periphery of said shroud along the gunwale of said craft;

a removable bow member adapted for mounting on said tapered bow, said bow member comprising;

a tapered member adapted to engage the gunwale on opposite sides of the craft,

a support shaft holding member pivotably joined at one edge to said tapered plate, and

a support shaft carried by said holding member;

resilient means fixed between said tapered member and the extremity of said holding member for supporting said shroud at said bow; and

means for adjusting said shroud for watercraft of different lengths.

2. A tent as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least two resilient rods, each including means at one end thereof for joining said one end to the gunwale of said craft; and

means joined to said shroud for holding the other end of each rod wherein said rods cross each other and support said shroud.

3. A tent as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for allowing ingress and egress into and out of said craft through said shroud.

4. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said shroud periphery joining means comprises a draw cord fitted along the periphery thereof.

5. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said periphery joining means comprises suction-cup mounted cleats along said gunwale adapted to engage the periphery of said craft.

6. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said periphery joining means comprises a Velcro fastening strip along the periphery of said shroud adapted to engage a corresponding Velcro fastening strip along the gunwale of said craft.

7. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said removable l5 bow member further comprises:

a cross-arm attached to the extremity of said shaft and adapted to engage said shroud; and

means for adjusting the length of said support shaft.

8. A tent as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

elastic ribbing extending along said shroud between said crossarm and said bow; and wherein said support shaft adjustable length means and said elastic ribbing comprise said means for adjusting said shroud to craft of different lengths.

9. A tent as recited in claim 7 wherein said shroud further comprises a bow member engaging pad at the end thereof.

10. A tent as recited in claim 9 wherein said bow member further comprises:

3 two arms joined together at a pivot point on one end of each arm, each arm adapted to extend alongside the gunwale on opposite sides of said craft;

means for varying said pivot point;

adjusting means fixed to the other end of each said arm for holding said support shaft;

said resilient means fixed between said ends of said arms and said support shaft; and wherein said shroud pad is adapted to fit over said pivoted end of said two arms.

11. A tent as recited in claim 9 wherein said bow member further comprises:

two arms, each adapted to extend alongside the gunwale on opposite sides of said craft;

a bracket holding said support shaft with one end of each said arm fixed on opposite sides at one end of said bracket;

means for adjustably moving the other end of each said arm toward the other end of said bracket;

means for adjustably moving said support shaft along said bracket between said ends thereof;

a tongue extending away from said one end of said bracket;

means for adjustably changing the length of said tongue; and wherein said shroud pad is adapted to fit over the extremity of said tongue.

12. A tent as recited in claim 1 further comprising a floor having peripheral means for attaching said floor 0 to said shroud.

13. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said water craft comprises a canoe having a stern tapered as said bow, said tent further including another removable bow member-resilient means combination for support- ,5 ing said shroud at said stern. 

1. A tent for watercraft having a tapered bow, comprising: a shroud; means for joining the periphery of said shroud along the gunwale of said craft; a removable bow member adapted for mounting on said tapered bow, said bow member comprising; a tapered member adapted to engage the gunwale on opposite sides of the craft, a support shaft holding member pivotably joined at one edge to said tapered plate, and a support shaft carried by said holding member; resilient means fixed between said tapered member and the extremity of said holding member for supporting said shroud at said bow; and means for adjusting said shroud for watercraft of different lengths.
 2. A tent as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least two resilient rods, each including means at one end thereof for joining said one end to the gunwale of said craft; and means joined to said shroud for holding the other end of each rod wherein said rods cross each other and support said shroud.
 3. A tent as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for allowing ingress and egress into and out of said craft through said shroud.
 4. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said shroud periphery joining means comprises a draw cord fitted along the periphery thereof.
 5. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said periphery joining means comprises suction-cup mounted cleats along said gunwale adapted to engage the periphery of said craft.
 6. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said periphery joining means comprises a Velcro fastening strip along the periphery of said shroud adapted to engage a corresponding Velcro fastening strip along the gunwale of said craft.
 7. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said removable bow member further comprises: a cross-arm attached to the extremity of said shaft and adapted to engage said shroud; and means for adjusting the length of said support shaft.
 8. A tent as recited in claim 7 further comprising: elastic ribbing extending along said shroud between said crossarm and said bow; and wherein said support shaft adjustable length means and said elastic ribbing comprise said means for adjusting said shroud to craft of different lengths.
 9. A tent as recited in claim 7 wherein said shroud further comprises a bow member engaging pad at the end thereof.
 10. A tent as recited in claim 9 wherein said bow member further comprises: two arms joined together at a pivot point on one end of each arm, each arm adapted to extend alongside the gunwale on opposite sides of said craft; means for varying said pivot point; adjusting means fixed to the other end of each said arm for holding said support shaft; said resilient means fixed between said ends of said arms and said support shaft; and wherein said shRoud pad is adapted to fit over said pivoted end of said two arms.
 11. A tent as recited in claim 9 wherein said bow member further comprises: two arms, each adapted to extend alongside the gunwale on opposite sides of said craft; a bracket holding said support shaft with one end of each said arm fixed on opposite sides at one end of said bracket; means for adjustably moving the other end of each said arm toward the other end of said bracket; means for adjustably moving said support shaft along said bracket between said ends thereof; a tongue extending away from said one end of said bracket; means for adjustably changing the length of said tongue; and wherein said shroud pad is adapted to fit over the extremity of said tongue.
 12. A tent as recited in claim 1 further comprising a floor having peripheral means for attaching said floor to said shroud.
 13. A tent as recited in claim 1 wherein said water craft comprises a canoe having a stern tapered as said bow, said tent further including another removable bow member-resilient means combination for supporting said shroud at said stern. 